Man held in 'gruesome' child porn case

A 28-year-old Eaton Rapids man will appear in court next week on charges he distributed child pornography.

"It is one of the most gruesome child porn cases I have seen," Major Jim Grafton of the Battle Creek Police Department said Wednesday. "There are some disturbing images of some very young children doing bad things."

Benjamin Knight of Eaton Rapids was arrested after he showed some video to another customer at a Battle Creek adult products store just after Christmas, Grafton said.

Police then seized Knight's phone and later his computers and said they have found images of children believed to be between 1 and 5 years old.

Beastiality and other sexual acts also are depicted, police said.

"After a time detectives had to shut it off and walk away," Grafton said.

Knight was arraigned Jan. 12 in Calhoun County District Court on eight counts including multiple charges of using a computer to commit a crime, distribution of child sexually abusive activity, and possession of child sexually abusive material.

If convicted of the charges he faces up to 15 years in prison. His bond was set at $250,000 cash and he remains in the county jail.

"What we have are computer crimes, but there is still an investigation going on involving other conduct," Prosecutor David Gilbert said.

Gilbert would not discuss the specific allegations.

"I am not going to comment until we run the examination," Gilbert said.

A preliminary examination of the charges is scheduled for Monday before District Judge Frank Line.

Knight's court-appointed defense attorney, Ronald Pichlik, said the police reports he has seen allege some of the pornography involved infants.

The investigation began after Knight showed a video on his phone to another customer at Romantix, an adult products store at 686 W. Michigan Ave., on Dec. 27, Grafton said.

Patrol officers questioned Knight and Grafton said officers seized his phone and later obtained a search warrant for his home in Eaton Rapids.

Material on computers seized at Knight's home is being reviewed, police said. The investigation is being conducted by the detective bureau with assistance from police in Eaton County and from the Emmett Township Department of Public Safety.

Investigators said they don't know why Knight was in Battle Creek.

While he would not comment directly about the case against Knight, Gilbert said child pornography is a thriving industry.

"You go to some sites and they will tell you where to go find babies," Gilbert said. "And there are a lot of people who are interested in babies or small kids. There is a big network out there and there is money to be made."

Investigators said they have no evidence the material seized from Knight was produced locally, but the investigation is continuing.

Grafton said Knight does not appear in any of the photos.

"But he made statements that he looked forward to doing things to other children. He typed or made statements that he had visions of doing it himself," Grafton said.

"It would be best if he would waive his preliminary exam, plead guilty and go away and just say he was in for murder," Grafton said.

Call Trace Christenson at 966-0685. Follow him on Twitter: @TSChristenson